A fellow hijabi blogging about everything, but mostly beauty!

Tag Archives: Product review

A few months ago, I came across Vichy Mineral 89 as I was scrolling on Instagram as another blogger was using it as part of her skincare regime. It looked nice, but I wasn’t sold on actually going to the store to buy it. Little did I know that this was the product my skin was yearning and craving for!

As time went buy, I realized that although my skin was looking good and in a much better condition then a few months ago, I knew there was something missing. I then realized I was missing that natural glow. Yes, the glow! My skin was definitely looking good but that lovely glow was missing and like many others I was yearning for that glow. AgaiI went back to Vichy Mineral 89, and did research and I was like maybe I need this in my life in order to get my glow on.

A few days later I went to Dis- Chem and purchased it for R375,00. The product was packaged in a white and blue box. It came in a see through glass bottle which I love because then I can see how much product I’m using and how much I have left. It also has a pump which is very hygienic and product doesn’t easily waste. It contains ingredients such as aqua/water and glycerin which is very natural for the skin. The product promises skin that is toned, plumped and hydrated with a glow which sure is a tall promise! I knew that even I used it and it didn’t work, it wouldn’t damage my skin because of all the natural ingredients.

The next morning after I using toner, I applied it to my face. The product was soft, although it was a bit runny. My skin felt really soft after application. As my skin tends to dry out easily, within an hour it started to feel really dry. I didn’t have any cream or moisturizer with me so that day was horrible. The next day I tried it again and it was the same result, I was extremely disappointed that I wasn’t getting what I paid for. It didn’t have the creamy formula that my skin needed and it wasn’t going working for my skin. After much contemplation, I decided that I should perhaps I should add it to my night skincare regime.

In the evening after cleansing, and toning my skin, I applied the Vichy Mineral 89 and then I applied my night cream. My skin felt amazing! I can’t even describe it! It felt so hydrated and plumped, it was like I put on new skin. I couldn’t believe that my skin could feel that good. Within a week of using it this way, my skin started to develop that glow I was craving. I can actually see the difference in my skin since I started using it and I absolutely love what I’m seeing.

My rating: 4/5

Except for the fact that its a bit runny, I absolutely love this product! If you are craving glowy skin, then this is the product you need to get your hands on!

Not too long ago I was having multiple breakouts and my skin was looking horrible, I decided to get a professional opinion and booked an appointment with a dermatologist (I HAD NO IDEA that dermatologists were so busy!) and I obtained an appointment for six weeks later. The wait was endless and it felt like my skin was getting worse.

Upon visiting the dermatologist, I discovered I had acne. The doctor prescribed multiple different types of medication and creams and recommended that I use Cetaphil as part of my daily cleansing routine.

I followed the doctors orders and purchased the smaller bottle of the Cetaphil cleanser for oily skin. It was extremely gentle on the skin and it felt lovely when I washed with it every day. After a weak of usage my skin started getting extremely dry, and there was patches on my face where the skin was peeling off, because of the dryness my skin felt horrible, it was extremely uncomfortable and when I tried to apply something to moisturize my skin, it burnt because of the dryness of my skin. I stopped using it immediately and after alot of product my skin was able to get its moisture back.

Giving the price and the tall promises of the product, I would think that it would work better on the skin especially since its developed for acne prone skin and multiple tests have been done before the product reaches the market. Instead of it fulfilling its promises it made my skin worse and this has also happened to a few people that have tried the Cetaphil skincare. I don’t understand the fuss, especially since it not living up to its name.

Rating: 0/5

Do not bother buying or even glancing at it, opt for a skincare where you will obtain value for your money and actually help with your skin condition.

A while ago I purchased the Swiitch Beauty Glowgasm palette but didn’t have much time to play around with it until recently. I absolutely love the packaging and the pans are incredibly big.

Swatches of Glowgasm

Now moving on to the product itself; the shades are super pigmented which is an extremely important quality for a highlighter, however on application it looks too pigmented and the pigmentation in just one stroke easily becomes too shiny, like super shiny and almost tacky, which I personally don’t like as I prefer a build- up of product. Some of the highlighters are quite creamy and not powdering, which tends to melt even if kept in a cool place. The creamy, almost buttery highlight makes it difficult for application as the product doesn’t really stay on a brush. I do enjoy the pigmentation, but I’ve used it only once and I really didn’t like the way it looked.

My verdict: 2/5

Worth a try but not a must have. Less expensive options could work better.

I have tried so many products over the years, that I feel I’m obliged to share what works and what not. We spend so much money on skincare as it promises us these amazing results and when you try it, it seldomly works or gives you amazing skin and at times it might even cause serious breakouts on your skin. Last year I tried out the PHYTOCARE Skin oil range, and frankly I was quite surprised at the results.

PHYTOCARE is a South African skin company which launched not too long ago. While I was browsing through MakeupShacks website, I noticed their products. I was unsure what to expect as there weren’t any reviews online, but I thought why not? What if it actually works? The products were not that pricey which definitely impacted my decision to purchase it. Two days after purchasing it, I receive it. The bottles were simple but pretty. I was skeptical to try it out but after a few days, I decided to give it a go. All the ingredients of the products are natural, which I absolutely love. I purchased Eyelixir, Lumiluxe and Luscious Skin.

Eyelixir

This is an eye oil that promises to brighten and tighten around the eyes. I have tried hundreds of eye products but nothing has worked until I tried out this eye oil. Within a week I could already see the difference around my eyes, it not only brightened and tightened my eyes but also decreased the appearance of my under eye circles. With continued use I could see the difference under my eyes without having to wait months. My under eye circles has decreased so much that I don’t have to apply as much concealer as I would prior to using PHYTOCARE. I absolutely love this oil, it has become part of my night skin regime and I will not be letting it out of sight.

2. Lumiluxe

A dupe for the Farsali Rose Gold Elixir without the gold, of course! I don’t have sensitive skin so when I used this serum, and I started breaking out, I was quite surprised! I used the serum under my makeup which allowed my makeup to look fresh and dewy the entire day and on days where I didn’t wear makeup, I would apply it in the morning as a day oil and on some evenings I would apply it as a night out. After a few times of application, it caused serious breakouts on my skin and I immediately stopped using it. I was quite disappointed because from all of the PHYTOCARE products, I was looking forward to using the Lumiluxe the most. I do love the way my makeup looked after a few drops of this oil, however as it caused serious repercussions to my face, I will not be reaching for it any time soon.

3. Luscious Skin

This is the one product that I can’t stop gushing about! This product promises to firm your skin if applied everyday. I would apply this oil every day to areas of my body that contained stretch marks, a few drops of the oil can also be put inside your bathwater. Within a few weeks after applying the oil, I noticed that my stretch marks were becoming lighter. After over a month of use, I noticed that my stretch were definitely getting lighter and on some parts of my body, the stretch marks were gone! Yes! I also couldn’t believe it! But I promise, it does actually work! I dislike the dropper, as sometimes its difficult for the oil to come out but apart from that I totally recommend this oil if you have been suffering with stretch marks, and would like to get rid of them or you would like to make your skin more firm.

Overall I love the products from PHYTOCARE, they smell great and they work wonders! They are indeed miracle oils!

When I learnt that Rihanna was releasing a foundation line, I was ecstatic! I knew that when it eventually launched I would have to get my hands on it. Living in South Africa means no Sephora, so when it eventually launched all I could just do was watch other bloggers rave about this product with my heart sinking, realizing that I might not get my hands on this product.

Being the determined being that I am, deep down I knew this was not it! I couldn’t just give up that easily after this much anticipation. I had to find a vendor that sold the Fenty line and if I couldn’t get one then I would have to buy it online from overseas which also implicated that I would have to break the bank to pay for shipping. And lets be real; why is shipping so expensive? It’s like online companies do it purposely to make even more money out of us! As if we already not spending an enormous amount of cash on their products.

Okay, back to the review.

After much soul searching, I found a vendor that sold the Fenty line and to top it off she is from SA! How lucky was I? Well, I thought I was but that luck was short- lived when I realized that this would be the first time I’m purchasing foundation online. I’ve always been skeptical about purchasing foundation and concealer online but I was so curious, I was willing to take the plunge but with my fingers crossed. The foundation was selling fast, so I had to make up my mind! This was probably the most tedious part about getting the foundation. I was unsure about my shade because there’s only so much you can see in a picture and video.

I finally made up my mind, and decided on the shade 320.

After a few days, I obtained this product that I’ve been dying for! I’m scared and excited at the same time. Shivering, I open up this package.

The packaging is quite elegant, it also looks nice. The bottle is quite big (30 ml) and its glass which I loved. When I opened it, it had a fresh scent; it didn’t give off the usual foundation scent. I apply the foundation on a fraction of my face. Its drying fast so I need to work around it quickly. The foundation is a tad bit lighter then my skin tone, but apparently it oxides so eventually after a few minutes it got to my shade! I was extremely happy! How lucky did I get? It was the exact same shade of my skin tone. Now, that I’ve spoken about the shade lets talk about the product.

The foundation has medium to full coverage, its quite build-able. It tends to cover and conceal almost everything on the face and if you have nice skin then you probably don’t even need concealer. The product does dry fast so you have to work around it quickly; you may use a brush or blender. I used both, I applied it and spread it around my face with a brush and then used the beauty blender to blend out. It has a lovely scent and it has a very matte- Photoshop finish.

Verdict: I absolutely love this foundation, and its worth the splurge! It literally makes me look like a more refined version of myself!

If you would also like to get your fix of Fenty Beauty, www.makeupshack.co.za is there to satisfy all your makeup needs.

It’s been a while since I last blogged or reviewed a product. So, here goes…

While I was out shopping recently, I was browsing through the skincare range of The Body Shop until this product caught my eye. It was a neat little bottle of foundation.

Above: The Body Shop Fresh Nude Foundation

I’ve always loved The Body Shop skincare products, but I wasn’t too sure about their makeup range, although if they were putting in just as much effort into a makeup range the results would be amazing.

Although there was a tad bit of uncertainty in the back of my head, I thought, “Oh what the hell? The worst that could happen is that it doesn’t work as well as another foundation or doesn’t blend as well but then you can just mix it with another product.”

And well being the being that I am, I know that if it wasn’t according to my liking I would most likely mix with a whole bunch of other products till it came to my liking because makeup is expensive and you can’t just throw products away, especially if its still new.

I ended up buying it.

And to my amazement it exceeded my expectations. (Well, I didn’t have a lot of them anyways.)

The bottle was a tiny bit smaller then the usual foundation bottle, but it was quite neat and the foundation easily came out without creating a mess unlike other foundation bottles. I applied it with a brush and then used a damp beauty blender.

The foundation is a creamy formula, its extremely light weight although it can be buildable but it does feel like your natural skin on your face. I wore it the entire day to work and it felt amazing on my skin. It was also able to cover up everything include the redness around my nose which has become extremely visible lately. It covers all the redness and breakouts without it looking too fake. Its extremely natural and it does make your skin look good without you having to plaster on makeup. Its definitely durable and can last the entire day and night if it is set properly without it getting cakey.

I haven’t even mentioned the best part about this product; it doesn’t have the typical foundation smell but rather a really light, fresh scent and this fresh scent is left on your skin the entire day! I literally, cannot get enough of the smell its amazing!

I’m sure you’ve heard and seen all the fuss about this weird little clear object which resembles plastic and all the beauty gurus have been ravishing about how its changing their game of makeup. I too like most of you seen all this, but I wasn’t sold on a small, weird little plastic hanging my makeup game but being the curious being that I am, I obtained a Silisponge.

When it arrived I was astonished at how it looked, but it felt really soft and extremely cool on my hand. I was extremely sceptical about using it, and it lied on my table for a few weeks until recently, when I was obliged to use it as all my blenders were just washed, little had I known that this small, weird plastic would change my life!

The SiliSponge

The Silisponge is at first a bit challenging to use but once you get the hang of it, your face will thank you! I promise! Silisponge uses about a quarter of the amount of foundation that you usually use with a brush or blender, if you apply the normal amount which you usually use you will notice that the silisponge doesn’t work and it won’t blend because there’s way too much product. You have to actually get the hang of the amount of product you need in order for the sponge to work. This see through plastic is made out of silicone and encapsulated in a super- flexible material which called thermoplastic polyurethane, and this allows your products such as foundation, concealer, highlighter or creamy blush not to soak thus using less product.

And that’s not even the best part of the SiliSponge! Unlike your other applicators, its super easy to clean. You can rinse it clean with water and soap, wipe it with a clean cloth or if you in a hurry, you can wipe it with one of your makeup wipe. That’s the absolute best part of the SiliSponge, you can wash or wipe and be on the go, the moment you are done! Unlike other applicators where you have to wait for hours. The only thing which I don’t like about the SiliSponge is that its a bit challenging blending around the nose and the inner corner of your eye, its going to take a little bit more practise to get the hang of that.

My verdict: Apart from that, I love the Silisponge and I do recommend going and getting yourself one immediately!